UPS Honors Arkansas drivers for 25 years of safe driving

LITTLE ROCK — The United Parcel Service (UPS) announced that seven elite drivers from Arkansas are among 1,316 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.

One of those drivers, John Gray, is from Pea Ridge.

Arkansas boasts 101 Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 2,909 years of accident-free driving. Walter Jordan Jr. of Dermott is the state’s senior-most safe driver, with 40 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 899 total full-time UPS drivers in Arkansas.

“I can’t say enough about all the men and women who were inducted this year,” said Cher Porties, president, UPS Mid South District. “Their dedication to safe driving on America’s roadways keeps them safe, improves public safety and sets a high standard for professional drivers.”

Globally, the most seasoned UPS Circle of Honor driver is Thomas Camp of Livonia, Mich., with 57 years of driving without an accident. Ronald McKnight of Bronx, N.Y., is next in line with 51 years of safe driving. One hundred fiftynine others have logged at least 40 years without an accident.

The company’s 129,000 small-package drivers worldwide are among the safest on the roads, logging close to 3.5 billion miles per year and delivering 5.5 billion packages annually.

Collectively, these drivers have achieved more than 280,969 years of safe driving throughout their careers. That’s enough time behind the wheel to drive non-stop from Miami to San Diego – over 65 million times. And they’ve done it while delivering 3 percent of the world’s GDP – 20 million packages a day.

Founded in 1907, UPS has a rich history of safety and training. The company issued its first driver handbook in 1917 and began recognizing safe drivers in 1923. In 1928, UPS recognized its first five-year safe driver, Ray McCue, with UPS founder Jim Casey presenting him a gold and platinum watch. UPS formally established its safe driving honor program in 1928.

Arkansas drivers inducted this year to the Circle of Honor are:

Driver

Gray, John Dunn, Philip Freeman, Michael Morine, Timothy Watts, Michael West, Bernard Wynn, Russell

Hometown

Pea Ridge Paragould Texarkana Texarkana North Little Rock Little Rock Harrison

UPS Work Location

Springdale Jonesboro Texarkana Texarkana Little Rock Little Rock Mtn. Home